Content about Collaborative Care

DUBLIN — Alkermes has appointed a new chief commercial officer.

Mark Stejbach, who brings 25 years of experience in biotech and pharmaceutical marketing, sales, managed care and finance to his new role, will be responsible for Alkermes' commercial activities, including marketing and sales of Vivitrol and developing and executing commercial strategies for Alkermes' late-stage pipeline assets, namely ALKS 9070 (for schizophrenia), ALKS 37 (for opioid-induced constipation) and ALKS 5461 (for treatment-resistant depression).

BRAINTREE, Mass. — The NuVal nutritional scoring system is celebrating National Nutrition Month by highlighting foods that receive some of its highest scores by category.

One food will be showcased for each day of National Nutrition Month, with each "item of the day" displayed on the company's website.

NEW YORK — Cardinal Health can continue distributing controlled medications from a distribution center in Florida, according to published reports.

On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit put a stay on the Drug Enforcement Administration's order that had blocked Cardinal from shipping controlled substances from the Lakeland, Fla., center. The stay will last until the middle of the month, when Cardinal has to file its emergency motion, and the DEA has to file its response, according to the reports.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare North America on Monday launched Tums Freshers, a new tablet-size version of Tums that is 40% smaller than regular Tums and includes a cooling flavor for breath freshening.

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday issued its latest update on the influenza season to date, or rather the lack thereof. For the week ended Feb. 25, visits for influenza-like illnesses have yet to crack the national baseline of 2.4% this season.

Over the past two seasons, 2009/2010 and 2010/2011, reports of ILI activity reached levels approaching 8% and 5%, respectively, after crossing over that 2.4% threshold — an indicator that the flu season is well under way.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — An organization representing independent retail pharmacies is criticizing a new ad by a pharmacy benefit manager industry group, calling the ad "irresponsible."

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson has launched an authorized generic drug for treating postmenopausal women, the company said Friday.

Watson announced the launch of progesterone capsules in the 100-mg and 200-mg strengths, an authorized generic version of Abbott Labs' Prometrium, under an agreement with Abbott. Abbott will manufacture the drug and supply it to Watson, which will market and distribute it and share profits. Other terms were not disclosed, the companies said.

CLAREMONT, Calif. — Chapman University and Keck Graduate Institute are set to establish a school of biopharmacy at the KGI campus in Claremont, Calif.

The school, which is slated to open in fall 2014, will focus on preparing graduate pharmacists for professions in biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry as well as for modern pharmacy practice.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved what it called the first flu vaccine to prevent four strains of the influenza virus.

LAS VEGAS — Oasis Consumer Healthcare's Halo oral antiseptic on Wednesday evening received Best Product honors from ECRM for the 2012 Cough & Cold and Allergy EPPS conference.

Shipping in July, Halo contains cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) in a patented formula that helps coat the back of the throat for up to six hours and helps to protect against airborne germs. According to company research, the recycled air in 67% of airplanes contain enough germs to get a person sick after a short flight.

WASHINGTON — The country's largest organization that certifies pharmacy technicians has a new leader.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board announced Thursday the selection of retired Air Force colonel Everett McAllister as its new executive director and CEO, replacing interim executive director William Schimmel, who will return to his role of associate director.

PHILADELPHIA — UnitedHealth Group is looking to evaluate the effectiveness of using video-on-demand programming to deliver its Diabetes Prevention Program.

The insurance company has tapped Comcast to find participants for the study, which will be test marketed in Philadelphia, and Knoxville, Tenn. Enrollment began on Feb. 13; the first VOD programming will be available Feb. 27.